Chocolate Depression Cake Recipe - No Eggs, Milk or Butter+Gluten Free (2024)

By: Jen Schreiner/Updated on: March 4, 2024/4 Comments

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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

This vintage chocolate depression cake recipe (wacky cake recipe) is quick and easy to make with simple ingredients in one bowl! It has no butter, no milk, no eggs.

Chocolate Depression Cake – No Eggs, Milk or Butter

Chocolate CAKE that is gluten-free and dairy-free! Yes, Ma’am! But you had me at chocolate!! I am sure you have noticed that it is entirely difficult to find a delicious chocolate cake that meets many restrictive diet checkpoints.

There aren’t many that fill the bill. Until NOW. This recipe contains no eggs, milk, or butter. A completely dairy-free cake and (uh em) gluten-free that is moist. I can guarantee that this recipe will meet all your criteria

• Taste
• Texture
• Appearance
• “MOM” Factor – Not a true rating, but I approve it.

This cake pairs well with our favorite Cookies and Cream Frosting.

Why is it called a Depression Cake?

This cake was born out of an era when supplies were limited (the great depression). Many wanted good-tasting desserts, but without eggs, milk, and butter, how was that going to happen?

The women of the 1930s figured it out. And can you believe this they also drank their coffee black? They learned to do without the luxury of cream and sugar. It is also known as “Wacky Cake”. Because this cake gets its name fromthe alternate, mixing technique and atypical ingredients like vinegar.

I slightly adjusted this recipe to meet all of my family’s needs.But let’s break down the ingredients of this recipe. Substitutions that make the texture and taste the same as a traditional chocolate cake.

This is a Gluten Free Cake Without Eggs and Dairy.

Oil instead of butter

The substitution of oil for butter provides the balance this cake needs. Butter in any cake or cookie recipe functions to keep the cake soft and tender by coating the flour in fat.

Vinegar and baking soda

Just like the classic “volcano” science experiment, we know that the combination of vinegar and baking soda will cause a BIG rise. In this chocolate depression cake, we are doing away with eggs and causing a slight rise using a small amount of vinegar in combination with baking soda.

The results are light and fluffy cake.

Ingredients Needed to Make Gluten-Free Depression Cake

• 1 ½ cups gluten-free baking flour or all-purpose flour (I have made with both)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Chocolate frosting for topping (optional)

How to Make This Chocolate Cake

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare an 11×7 glass baking dish by greasing it with nonstick cooking spray.

STEP TWO: In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Making sure it is combined well.

STEP THREE: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla extract. Whisk to combine.

STEP FOUR: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

STEP FIVE: Top with chocolate frosting when the cake has cooled completely. And then serve.

Top with your favorite frosting

First, you can just dust a little powdered sugar on top or be like Me! I enjoy frosting, and we’re not in a depression, so why do without it? Add your favorite frosting recipe to this cake.

Now my grandmother has an amazing depression-era frosting that she developed. We have been using the combination of her frosting recipe and my cake recipe for years. It is a requested cake at our family get-togethers.

However, she will not allow ANY family member to give out her secret recipe. I am hoping I can break her down enough to allow her to let me share it.

This recipe also contains NO eggs, NO butter, and now I have adapted it to contain NO milk. I know… I will continue to beg her. What is wacky about her frosting is that we make it with flour.

Now doesn’t this cake look just mouthwatering?

Chocolate Depression Cake Recipe

This unique cake is rich and chocolatey without using any eggs, milk, or butter. A cake without butter?? So “wacky,” I know. Now it is your turn to test out this amazing recipe. Time to be amazed.

Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe?Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our recipes.

Yield: 1 Cake

Chocolate Depression Cake Recipe - No Eggs, Milk or Butter (Gluten Free)

This vintage depression cake recipe (wacky cake recipe) is quick and easy to make with simple ingredients in one bowl! It has no butter, no milk, no eggs.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time30 minutes

Total Time40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups gluten-free baking flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Chocolate frosting for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare an 11x7
   baking dish by greasing with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free
   flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Make a well in the center of the dry
   ingredients. Pour in the water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla extract. Whisk to
   combine.
4. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish
   and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the
   cake comes out clean.
5. Top with chocolate frosting when the cake has
   cooled completely.
   

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 179Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 200mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 1gSugar: 19gProtein: 2g

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Other Delicious Gluten-Free Recipes You May Enjoy.

No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars Recipe – Gluten Free

Gluten-Free Homemade Belgian Waffles Recipe

Cranberry Almond Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies Recipe – Gluten Free

Eating out is easy, and it usually tastes delicious, but it’s expensive. Making this meal at home will save you money. Add this recipe to your weekly meal plan.